Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Aetna Insureance Denied......



Recommended Posts

Hello Everyone,

My name is Maria and I just found out that Aetna has denied my request. :thumbup:

I am 5' 6" and currently weight 270lbs. My BMI is about 40. I fortunately (or unfortunately) do not have any medical concerns. I have a family history of Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol, but Aetna seems to think that this is not enough. They are looking for a 2 year weight history. I tried to get my records from a free clinic that I used to go to before I got insurance, but they purge their records after 2 years. It has been about 2 years since I have gone there. I have one year of history that I have been able to obtain but that may not be enough.

Wish all you guys and gals the best.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This is not what you want to hear but.....it took me a year to get to where I'm at now. Don't give up, just start getting it documented from now or maybe even better try for an appeal.

Good Luck

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Do you have anything from 3 or 4 years ago that is the same weight range? I didn't have 2 years either b/c I didn't go to the doctor much but I did have information from 3-4 years ago and Aetna took that

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I bought the "Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies" book and there is a really helpful sample of a letter you can write to Aetna to petition their decision. You can also include testimonies from past doctors, even if they no longer have some of the records. You might even want to consider using a few pictures of you from a few years back as documentation, every little bit helps! Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It took me almost 2 years,3 doctor's,6 months weigh-in's,completeing healthy roads(phone counseling program)my ins company changed twice,tons of phone calls,begging,pleading and finally writing a heavy duty tear jerking.........please help me save my life appeal letter!! So dont give up!! persistence will pay off,you know what they say about that "squeaky wheel"!!:thumbup:Plus if it's meant to be it WILL happen.....dont give up on your dream!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I will hang in there and hope for the best. But as you guys already know, we want things to happen instantly since we have been dealing with this issue most of our lives.

I will try some of your suggestions.

Thanks again

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm in the same boat as you...no comorbidities.

I found out at the end of last week that they denied me, too. I was missing a recorded weight from 2007. My surgeon's office had my PCP write on a prescription note that they had seen me twice in 2007, didn't weigh me, but I hadn't lost weight during that time. My weights from 2005, 2006 and 2008 were all submitted. Plus I gained a pound even after seeing the nutritionist. The morning of the day I received my letter Aetna annouced a substantial fiscal loss in their 4th quarter last year, so I took that as an omen that I would be denied, and I was.

My surgeon is doing a physician to physician review sometime soon. We'll see what happens.

Best of luck, and I know exactly how you're feeling.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow Goalwatcher,

Not something I wanted to hear about Aetnas loss :tt2:. But I think that we should keep at it and think positive. :tt2:

They say that Hope is the last to die.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Update: My surgeon did the MD to MD and I was still denied. They've referred my case to Obesity Law, and I'll find out soon whether or not they'll take it on. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello All,

I have gone the my 6th nutritionist visit which completes the 6 month diet plan. I have also found about a year and a half of weight history. I am also going to include a letter written by me and some photos of me throughtout the past 2 years.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

-Maria

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×